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Thromboangiitis obliterans

Buerger disease

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare disease in which blood vessels of the hands and feet become blocked.

Causes

Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger disease) is caused by small blood vessels that become inflamed and swollen. The blood vessels then narrow or become completely blocked by blood clots (thrombosis). Blood vessels of the hands and feet are especially affected. Arteries are more affected than veins. Average age when symptoms begin is around 35. Women and older adults are affected less often.

Thisconditionmostly affects young men ages 20- 40, whoare heavy smokers or chew tobacco. Only 1 of 10 patients are women. Many patients also have very poor dental hygiene, likely due to tobacco use.

Doppler ultrasound of the extremity

Blood tests for other causes of inflamed blood vessels(vasculitis) andblocked (occlusion of) blood vesselsmay be done. These causes include diabetes, scleroderma, and atherosclerosis. In rare cases when the diagnosis is unclear, a biopsy of the blood vessel is done.

Diabetes

Diabetes is usually a lifelong (chronic) disease in which thereis ahigh level of sugar in the blood.

Thromboangiites obliterans - illustration

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a disorder that leads to obstruction of the blood vessels of the hands and feet. The blood vessels become constricted or totally obstructed because of the inflammation and clots which reduces the availability of blood to the tissues. Thromboangiitis obliterans almost always affects men, 20 to 40 years old, who have a history of smoking or chewing tobacco.

Thromboangiites oblitera...

illustration

Circulatory system - illustration

Blood used by the body is brought back to the heart and lungs by the veins of the body. Once the blood has gathered more oxygen from the lungs, it is pumped back out to the body through the arteries.

Circulatory system

illustration

Thromboangiites obliterans - illustration

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a disorder that leads to obstruction of the blood vessels of the hands and feet. The blood vessels become constricted or totally obstructed because of the inflammation and clots which reduces the availability of blood to the tissues. Thromboangiitis obliterans almost always affects men, 20 to 40 years old, who have a history of smoking or chewing tobacco.

Thromboangiites oblitera...

illustration

Circulatory system - illustration

Blood used by the body is brought back to the heart and lungs by the veins of the body. Once the blood has gathered more oxygen from the lungs, it is pumped back out to the body through the arteries.